Numbers Chapter 13

Spies Sent to Canaan

(Deuteronomy 1:19-25)

1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. 3And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel. 4And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur. 5Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori. 6Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 7Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph. 8Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun. 9Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu. 10Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi. 11Of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi. 12Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli. 13Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael. 14Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi. 15Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. 16These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua.

Instructions to the Spies

17And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: 18And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 19And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; 20And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.

The Spies Explore Canaan

21So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath. 22And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

23And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs. 24The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence.

The Reports of the Spies

25And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. 26And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. 27And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. 28Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. 29The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.

30And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. 31But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. 32And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. 33And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Spies Explore Canaan
(Deuteronomy 1:19–25)

1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Send men, that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel. Of every tribe of their fathers, you shall send a man, every one a prince among them.” 3 Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran according to the commandment of Yahweh: all of them men who were heads of the children of Israel. 4 These were their names: Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur. 5 Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori. 6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 7 Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph. 8 Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun. 9 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu. 10 Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi. 11 Of the tribe of Joseph, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi. 12 Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli. 13 Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael. 14 Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi. 15 Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. 16 These are the names of the men who Moses sent to spy out the land. Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua.

17 Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up this way by the South, and go up into the hill country: 18 and see the land, what it is; and the people who dwell therein, whether they are strong or weak, whether they are few or many; 19 and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it is good or bad; and what cities they are that they dwell in, whether in camps, or in strongholds; 20 and what the land is, whether it is fat or lean, whether there is wood therein, or not. Be courageous, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the first-ripe grapes.”

21 So they went up, and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, to the entrance of Hamath. 22 They went up by the South, and came to Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

23 They came to the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from there a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bore it on a staff between two. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the children of Israel cut down from there.

The Reports of the Spies

25 They returned from spying out the land at the end of forty days. 26 They went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, to the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word to them, and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They told him, and said, “We came to the land where you sent us; and surely it flows with milk and honey; and this is its fruit. 28 However the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. Moreover, we saw the children of Anak there. 29 Amalek dwells in the land of the South: and the Hittite, and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, dwell in the hill country; and the Canaanite dwells by the sea, and along by the side of the Jordan.”

30 Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” 31 But the men who went up with him said, “We aren’t able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” 32 They brought up an evil report of the land which they had spied out to the children of Israel, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that eats up its inhabitants; and all the people who we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come of the Nephilim: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”

The Spies Explore Canaan
(Deuteronomy 1:19–25)

1 And the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.”

3 So at the consent a of the LORD, Moses sent them out from the Wilderness of Paran. All the men were leaders of the Israelites, 4 and these were their names:

From the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur;

5 from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori;

6 from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh;

7 from the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph;

8 from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;

9 from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu;

10 from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi;

11 from the tribe of Manasseh (a tribe of Joseph), Gaddi son of Susi;

12 from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli;

13 from the tribe of Asher, Sethur son of Michael;

14 from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi;

15 and from the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Machi.

16 These were the names of the men Moses sent to spy out the land; and Moses gave to Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.

17 When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he told them, “Go up through the Negev and into the hill country. 18 See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many. 19 Is the land where they live good or bad? Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications? 20 Is the soil fertile or unproductive? Are there trees in it or not? Be courageous, and bring back some of the fruit of the land.” (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)

21 So they went up and spied out the land from the Wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo-hamath. 22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, dwelled. It had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.

23 When they came to the Valley of Eshcol, b they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes, which they carried on a pole between two men. They also took some pomegranates and figs. 24 Because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut there, that place was called the Valley of Eshcol.

The Reports of the Spies

25 After forty days the men returned from spying out the land, 26 and they went back to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They brought back a report for the whole congregation and showed them the fruit of the land.

27 And they gave this account to Moses: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and indeed, it is flowing with milk and honey. Here is some of its fruit! 28 Nevertheless, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We even saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites live in the land of the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan.”

30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!”

31 But the men who had gone up with him replied, “We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are!”

32 So they gave the Israelites a bad report about the land that they had spied out: “The land we explored devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw there are great in stature. 33 We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!”

Footnotes:

3 a Literally according to the mouth
23 b Eshcol  means cluster ; also in verse 24.

Spies Sent to Canaan

(Deuteronomy 1:19-25)

1And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying, 2'Send for thee men, and they spy the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the sons of Israel; one man, one man for the tribe of his fathers ye do send, every one a prince among them.' 3And Moses sendeth them from the wilderness of Paran by the command of Jehovah; all of them are men, heads of the sons of Israel they are, 4and these their names: For the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur. 5For the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori. 6For the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh. 7For the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph. 8For the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea, son of Nun. 9For the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu. 10For the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi. 11For the tribe of Joseph, (for the tribe of Manasseh,) Gaddi son of Susi. 12For the tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli. 13For the tribe of Asher, Sethur son of Michael. 14For the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vopshi. 15For the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Machi. 16These are the names of the men whom Moses hath sent to spy the land; and Moses calleth Hoshea son of Nun, Jehoshua.

Instructions to the Spies

17And Moses sendeth them to spy the land of Canaan, and saith unto them, 'Go ye up this way into the south, and ye have gone up the mountain, 18and have seen the land what it is, and the people which is dwelling on it, whether it is strong or feeble; whether it is few or many; 19and what the land is in which it is dwelling, whether it is good or bad; and what are the cities in which it is dwelling, whether in camps or in fortresses; 20And what the land is, whether it is fat or lean; whether there is wood in it or not; and ye have strengthened yourselves, and have taken of the fruit of the land;' and the days are days of the first-fruits of grapes.

The Spies Explore Canaan

21And they go up and spy the land, from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob at the going in to Hamath; 22and they go up by the south, and come in unto Hebron, and there are Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, children of Anak (and Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt),

23and they come in unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down thence a branch and one cluster of grapes, and they bear it on a staff by two, also some of the pomegranates, and of the figs. 24That place hath one called Brook of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the sons of Israel cut from thence.

The Reports of the Spies

25And they turn back from spying the land at the end of forty days. 26And they go and come in unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto all the company of the sons of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and they bring them and all the company back word, and shew them the fruit of the land. 27And they recount to him, and say, 'We came in unto the land whither thou hast sent us, and also it is flowing with milk and honey -- and this is its fruit; 28only, surely the people which is dwelling in the land is strong; and the cities are fenced, very great; and also children of Anak we have seen there. 29Amalek is dwelling in the land of the south, and the Hittite, and the Jebusite, and the Amorite is dwelling in the hill country, and the Canaanite is dwelling by the sea, and by the side of the Jordan.'

30And Caleb stilleth the people concerning Moses, and saith, 'Let us certainly go up -- and we have possessed it; for we are thoroughly able for it.' 31And the men who have gone up with him said, 'We are not able to go up against the people, for it is stronger than we;' 32and they bring out an evil account of the land which they have spied unto the sons of Israel, saying, 'The land into which we passed over to spy it, is a land eating up its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in its midst are men of stature; 33and there we saw the Nephilim, sons of Anak, of the Nephilim; and we are in our own eyes as grasshoppers; and so we were in their eyes.'

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Numbers 13?

1.1Introduction to Numbers 13

1.2Context of Numbers 13

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Numbers 13 Unique Insights

1.6Numbers 13 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Numbers 13 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Numbers 13 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Numbers 13?

Introduction to Numbers 13

Numbers 13 stands as a pivotal chapter in Israel’s wilderness journey, marking a critical moment of decision that would shape the nation’s destiny for the next forty years. This chapter unfolds the dramatic account of the twelve spies sent to explore the Promised Land, revealing profound truths about faith, fear, and the human tendency to view God’s promises through earthly perspectives.

The chapter serves as a masterclass in understanding how different people can observe the same evidence yet arrive at radically different conclusions based on their faith perspective. It powerfully illustrates the battle between walking by faith and walking by sight that believers continue to face today.

Context of Numbers 13

Within the book of Numbers, chapter 13 sits at a crucial juncture. The Israelites have received the Law at Sinai, organized themselves as a nation, and are now positioned at Kadesh-barnea, on the southern border of Canaan. They stand literally at the doorstep of their inheritance, having traveled from slavery to the brink of destiny in about two years.

The larger biblical context reveals this moment as a fundamental test of Israel’s faith and readiness to embrace God’s promises. This episode connects back to the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 15:18-21) where God first promised this land to Abraham’s descendants. It also foreshadows future challenges Israel would face in trusting God’s promises and provisions. The New Testament references this account multiple times as a warning about unbelief, particularly in Hebrews 3:7-19, where it serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of doubting God’s promises.

The positioning of this narrative immediately before the rebellion and forty-year wilderness sentence in Numbers 14 emphasizes its significance as the turning point in Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan. This chapter exemplifies how a single decision point can have generational consequences.

Ancient Key Word Study

לתור (latur – “to spy out/explore”): This verb appears seven times in the chapter and carries the nuance of both physical exploration and mental evaluation. Unlike the more military term רגל (ragal), latur suggests a comprehensive investigation that includes assessing the land’s agricultural potential and inhabitability. The word choice indicates God’s intention for a complete survey rather than just military reconnaissance.
ענקים (Anakim – “giants”): These descendants of Anak inspired terror in the spies. The word connects to a proto-Semitic root meaning “long-necked” or “necklace-wearing,” possibly indicating their imposing physical stature. Their presence in the land served as a test of Israel’s faith in God’s power versus human obstacles.
חזק (chazak – “strong”): Used to describe both the inhabitants and the spies’ perception of them, this word literally means “to fasten upon” or “to seize.” Its usage here creates an ironic contrast – while describing the enemy’s strength, it also recalls God’s frequent command to “be strong” (חזק) which Israel failed to embrace.
נפילים (Nephilim): Referenced in connection with the Anakim, this term links back to Genesis 6:4. Its etymology suggests “the fallen ones” or “those who cause others to fall.” Their mention heightens the narrative’s tension by connecting to pre-flood legends of mighty warriors.
זבת חלב ודבש (zavat chalav u’dvash – “flowing with milk and honey”): This iconic phrase appears first in this narrative context, becoming a defining description of the Promised Land. The imagery suggests both agricultural abundance (milk from herds requiring good pasture) and natural sweetness (honey from wild bees thriving in the environment).
אפס (efes – “nevertheless”): This term serves as a crucial turning point in the spies’ report. Literally meaning “nothing” or “zero,” it effectively nullifies their positive observations about the land’s abundance with their subsequent fears about its inhabitants.
תשובה (teshuvah – “return”): Though primarily describing physical return in this context, this word carries deep spiritual significance in Hebrew thought, later becoming the primary term for repentance. The spies’ physical return without spiritual insight prefigures Israel’s larger failure to truly “return” to God’s purposes.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 2’s use of “שלח לך” (send for yourself) rather than simply “שלח” (send) suggests divine accommodation to human weakness. The Midrash notes that God knew this reconnaissance wasn’t necessary but permitted it to address the people’s lack of faith. This phrasing appears in other instances where God allows human initiative while foreseeing its problematic outcomes.
The specification of “anshim” (men) in verse 3, rather than “zachrim” (males), emphasizes the need for leaders of moral and spiritual stature, not just physical capability. The Hebrew word “anshim” often connotes men of rank or distinction.
Verse 20’s instruction to bring back fruit uses “לקח” (take) rather than “גנב” (steal), indicating legitimate acquisition rather than plunder. This detail emphasizes that even in reconnaissance, ethical behavior was expected.
The description of the land “devouring its inhabitants” (verse 32) employs “אכל” (eat) metaphorically rather than literally, creating a powerful image of the land’s challenging nature. This same verb is used positively elsewhere to describe God’s care for His people, showing how perspective shapes interpretation.
The comparison to grasshoppers in verse 33 uses “חגבים” (chagavim) rather than “ארבה” (arbeh), choosing the smaller species to emphasize their sense of insignificance. This word choice amplifies their fear-driven self-perception.

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Numbers 13 Unique Insights

The Talmud (Sotah 34b) provides fascinating insight into the spies’ names and their prophetic significance. For instance, “Shaphat” means “judge,” yet he failed to judge the situation correctly. This wordplay continues throughout the list, suggesting divine foreknowledge of each spy’s eventual choice.

The forty-day journey of the spies carries profound symbolic weight in Jewish tradition. The number forty repeatedly appears in Scripture as a period of testing and transformation. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch notes that forty days provided ample time for careful evaluation, making the spies’ negative report even more culpable as it resulted from extended deliberation rather than hasty judgment.

Early Christian writers, including Origen and Augustine, saw in this narrative a type of the church’s mission to evaluate and report on the promises of God. They particularly noted how the cluster of grapes carried between two poles prefigured Christ on the cross, with the Old and New Covenants (represented by the two carriers) bearing witness to Him.

The giants encountered in the land connect to ancient Near Eastern traditions about semi-divine warriors, but the biblical account demythologizes them. Unlike pagan literature that glorified such beings, Numbers presents them as obstacles to be overcome through faith in the true God, effectively challenging both the spies’ fears and contemporary pagan worldviews.

Numbers 13 Connections to Yeshua

The sending of the twelve spies parallels the sending of the twelve apostles by Yeshua, with similar themes of mission, witness, and the tension between faith and fear. Just as Joshua (Yehoshua, sharing the same Hebrew root as Yeshua) stood as one of only two faithful witnesses, Yeshua stands as the ultimate faithful witness to God’s promises.

The cluster of grapes brought back from the valley of Eshcol has been traditionally interpreted as a type of Messiah, particularly in early Christian exposition. The two poles bearing the cluster suggest the Old and New Covenants bearing witness to Messiah, while the abundance of the fruit points to the spiritual riches found in Him. This imagery connects powerfully to Yeshua’s words about being the true vine in John 15:1.

Numbers 13 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates throughout Scripture, finding particular echo in Joshua’s sending of spies to Jericho (Joshua 2:1). The contrast between these two reconnaissance missions highlights how faith had grown in the new generation. The Jericho spies, unlike their predecessors, focused on God’s promises rather than obstacles.

The theme of seeing versus believing established here echoes forward to Yeshua’s words to Thomas in John 20:29: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” The spies’ failure to trust despite seeing God’s provision parallels various New Testament teachings about walking by faith rather than sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

The description of the land’s abundance finds fulfillment not only in Israel’s eventual possession of Canaan but also points forward to the new creation described in Revelation, where the tree of life bears constant fruit (Revelation 22:2). The physical abundance of Canaan prefigures the spiritual and physical abundance of God’s ultimate restoration.

Numbers 13 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine how we view obstacles in light of God’s promises. The spies saw the same land, but while ten saw impossible giants, two saw a faithful God. This narrative invites us to consider: Through which lens do we view our challenges – human limitation or divine possibility?

In our own lives, we often stand at similar crossroads between fear and faith. The spies’ journey reminds us that our perspective shapes our destiny. Their forty-day exploration resulted in a forty-year consequence, teaching us that how we choose to interpret God’s promises has lasting implications.

Consider today: What “giants” are you facing? What promises of God seem challenged by present circumstances? Remember, the same God who promised to give Israel the land despite the presence of giants is faithful to fulfill His promises to you, regardless of how insurmountable the obstacles may appear.

Did You Know

The word used for “spies” (לתור) in Numbers 13 is the same root used in modern Hebrew for “tourist,” highlighting the comprehensive nature of their exploration beyond just military reconnaissance.
The cluster of grapes carried on a pole between two men has become a symbol of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, appearing on their logo as a testament to the land’s continuing abundance.
The Anakim mentioned in this chapter were likely connected to the Philistine city of Gath, explaining why Goliath later emerged from this region.
The forty-day journey of the spies covered approximately 500 miles round trip, demonstrating the thoroughness of their exploration.
Archaeological evidence from the Late Bronze Age (around the time of this narrative) confirms the presence of heavily fortified Canaanite cities with walls up to 50 feet high, giving historical context to the spies’ intimidation.
The valley of Eshcol (“cluster”) still exists today near Hebron and remains famous for its vineyards, some of which are over a century old.
The phrase “land flowing with milk and honey” appears in ancient Egyptian texts describing Canaan, confirming the accuracy of this biblical description.
Joshua’s original name was Hoshea (“salvation”), but Moses changed it to Joshua (“Yahweh is salvation”), prefiguring his role in leading Israel into the Promised Land.
The term Nephilim only appears twice in the Torah – here and in Genesis 6:4, creating a deliberate connection between these two passages.

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